We are delighted to show you the winners of our annual Christmas card competition. People we support in all our services were busy throughout November creating some wonderful Christmas cards. All throughout November the York office has seen glittery and colourful designs being sent in from all around the country. We received over 100 designs, which made the judging very difficult!

The annual Danshell Christmas Card competition has seen over 120 cards flying in to the York Central Support Office, filling the place with glitter and colour. Service user representatives from around the country came to York to help with our jolly judging day, dressed in their best Christmas jumpers.

Bostall House is an Independent Hospital for Men Living with a Learning Disability

Based in Abbey Wood, London, Bostall House provides assessment and treatment for up to six men living with a learning disability and associated complex needs. The service can also support those who have mental health needs and complex needs and behaviours.

Bostall House is a spacious detached property, surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens. Service users have a choice of lounges and communal areas to relax in, as well as the benefit of a private garden to the rear of the house.

When people come to Bostall House, we find out how they would like to personalise their room and we support them to make it their own. We also like to find out what they like to do and what interests them. People are supported to plan menus, shop and prepare food to increase their daily living skills in readiness for moving on.

Bostall House is located in Abbey Wood, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and is easily accessible from many local areas. There are local bus routes and Abbey Wood station is a ten minute walk away, with central London only 30 minutes away by train. Bostall House is ideally located near several notable places of interest, including Danson Park, and the Royal Museums Greenwich.

There is a large and varied choice of local community activities, which include bowling, the local gym, cafes and shops. Service users are also supported to access education at local colleges and have paid or voluntary work placements to increase their independence.

Our goal is to enable people to structure their time; build relationships and establish a balance between therapy, selfcare, work and leisure as appropriate to their individual needs.

People come to Bostall House from a home environment, supported living or residential service due to an illness or a crisis in their life. They may also come following a stay at an NHS or other specialist service including a secure service.

We believe that we must be fully accountable to the people we support, their families and to those who commission services on their behalf. Personal PATHS model of care is our unique way of supporting this.

Bright Isokpan is a Healthcare Support Worker at Thors Park. Bright takes the time to learn all about the people he supports, asking questions and is always eager to find out more about people’s interests. He is a role model to the team, encouraging them to share people’s likes and dislikes so that the whole team has a real understanding of each person they support.

"Bright is a very happy person and makes sure everyone is smiling and happy" - a colleague at Thors Park

Situated in East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, Cedar Vale provides assessment and treatment for up to 14 men living with autism. The team can support people who are detained under the Mental Health Act, as well as those who have complex needs and behaviours, or who have significant difficulties with social engagement.

Cedar Vale is an impressive period property, situated on the edge of a picturesque village in its own extensive grounds.

The service consists of three distinct areas to support individuals with different levels of need.

An apartment area has been developed within the hospital to accommodate up to six people. Bedrooms are all en-suite, there is a separate lounge along with a fully equipped life skills kitchen.

On the first floor there are five large bedrooms each with en-suite facilities. This part of the service is aimed at service users who require a high level of support.

In addition, there are three bedrooms centrally located on the ground floor. This area consists of an en-suite bedroom with its own lounge and access to a private garden, as well as two further en-suite rooms with shared access to a lounge and life skills kitchen.

Each of these areas are aimed at providing the individuals with an environment that will support them for moving on to more independent living.

Within the service there are a number of communal lounges and dining areas that provide a choice of dining experiences, as well as more opportunities for service users to socialise or have quiet time away from others. Other facilities include a recently expanded and upgraded sensory room, a large garden and skills rooms. Everyone has their own bedroom with en-suite facilities and they are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms.

Cedar Vale is within walking distance of many local amenities. Further afield, people can enjoy going to the library, shopping centres, cinemas and swimming pools. Service users are supported to visit other nearby places of leisure and interest.

Cedar Vale has a dedicated Activity Coordinator who supports people to have individual activity plans, which are created based on each person’s likes and hobbies. Their goal is to enable people to structure their time, build relationships and establish a balance between therapy, self-care, work and leisure, as appropriate to their individual needs.

Cedar Vale provides person centred assessment and support plans for each individual. The team uses environmental tuning to increase interactions with others, and to enable a smooth adaptation between the individual and their surroundings.

Service users are admitted to Cedar Vale from a variety of different settings. This could be from a home environment, supported living or residential service. It could be due to placement breakdown, deterioration in mental health, illness or other crisis in their life. They may also come following a stay at an NHS or other specialist service, including a secure service.

We believe that we must be fully accountable to the people we support, their families and to those who commission services on their behalf. Personal PATHS model of care is our unique way of supporting this.

Cedar Vale hospital in East Bridgford, near Nottingham has been undergoing redevelopment over the last few months, and now the work is complete, we’d like to tell you about everything that’s been going on.

Chesterholme is an Independent Hospital for adults living with a learning disability

Based in the picturesque town of Hexham in Northumberland, Chesterholme provides assessment and treatment for up to 16 men and women living with a learning disability and complex needs. The team can also support those who have mental health needs, including those who have been detained under the Mental Health Act, as well as those who have complex needs and behaviours.

Within Chesterholme there are two follow-on services, which offer a choice between a three and a four bed self-contained apartments. This provides a care pathway from the main hospital to a service that focuses and promotes greater independence in preparation for moving on to either a residential or a supported living setting.

The hospital is purpose built and each person has their own bedroom with en-suite facilities, which they are supported to personalise. Accommodation is generous and the people we support can choose gender specific lounges and a choice of two dining areas. There are three private gardens, each offering different areas for people to relax or take part in other outdoor interests.

Chesterholme has a dedicated Activity Coordinator who supports service users to have individual activity plans, which are created based on each person’s likes and hobbies. There are a number of rooms at Chesterholme which are dedicated to activities and supporting life skills in readiness for people moving on. There is a life skills kitchen which is easily accessible for people wanting to make their own drinks, prepare or cook food for themselves or their visitors should they wish to. There is a large art room where people can enjoy a range of creative table top crafts, and a games room which boasts a pool table for the more competitive. We have a relaxation room and a pamper room which are both available to all the people we support.

At Chesterholme, our focus is on rehabilitation and the improvement of the health and well-being of service users, developing trusting relationships and attaining positive outcomes.

People may come to Chesterholme for a number of reasons, including coming from a home environment, supported living or residential service due to an illness or a crisis in their life, or they may come following a stay at an NHS or other specialist service, including secure services.

We believe that we must be fully accountable to the people we support, their families and to those who commission services on their behalf. Personal PATHS model of care is our unique way of supporting this.

Dr Tony Perini is our North East Consultant Psychiatrist. Dr Perini is praised for always doing his best for the people he supports, making sure he is available at all hours and even being known to take calls when away on holiday! He was described as a ‘good listener’ by one service user who nominated him.

"He helps you and fights for you and your choices" - a service user in the North East

We are delighted to announce that Ducks Halt in Kirby-le-Soken has been newly developed and changed registration with the CQC. A series of positive changes has seen Ducks Halt, a specialist service for people with learning disabilities, re-registered as a residential service.

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